Buying a 5 th Wheeler for Australian Conditions

Stellaginger · Veteran Member

Buying a 5 th Wheeler for Australian Conditions

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Stellaginger, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Sounds like a big rig you are talking about so reckon the Iveco is the way to go for sure. I don't know anything about 5th's so will leave it to those that do to hopefully answer your questions.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello Stellaginger

As Dougwe has already said, welcome you to the forum

I am sure that if any members have the combination you are thinking of buying, they will come forward with the info you require

I have seen a 4 door Iveco pulling a fifth wheeler, in the Geraldton area of WA
The owner did say that the Ivecto suited his needs
He had a 300 litre doughnut shaped water tank, around his towing hitch

But...
Always remember that we are all different, and most of us, will eventually adapt to what we have
Something suitable for one persons needs, may not be what another person wants

Dhutime · Senior Member

Hi and welcome to this forum

we have a good friends who have an Australian built 5 th wheeler Trailblazer although theirs does not have a slide out i believe that they do them .

Also give the people at Elross a call they are in Perth WA and build very good off road vans and 5th Wheelers .

Good luck my advice is deal and buy in Australia if you can

Dhutime

Lien · Newbie

G'day Stellaginger,
I have a small Australian built 5th wheeler. I spent over 12 months researching before buying and would council against buying any US made Vans as they simply are not built for our roads and by roads I mean sealed ones let alone dirt ones. If you want slideouts then be aware that they (5th wheelers) generally are not as strong structurally as one without.
I brought a 20 foot Trailblazer and tow it with a 2012 Hilux, So you could keep your Ranger and still have a 5th Wheeler.
Most custom makers will build to your specs and to the GVM of the intended tow vehicle. Please see below what I believe to be one of the best Australian made units.

www.cutlooserv.com.au/ (cost was too much for me)

Cruisemaster suspension is highly recommended especially the airbag one as you can level the van with the bags and don't need chocks. Link below

www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/suspensions

Any queries don't hesitate to call me (Neil 0429046640)

Regards

blaze · Guru

sent you a pm, private message
cheers
blaze

macka17 · Guru

Be careful about the US ones.
Doors on wrong side to roads.
Lighter wiring as they only run 110v over there.
even if they have changed all the outlets to 240.
A lot have/had rubber roofs too.

I've lived/travelled in a couple of my mates units over there.
over the last 7 yrs or so.

NOWHERE near the interior Finish Quality, nor materials quality as those here and Europe.
Utes...
Magic. top of the line.
Trailers leave a bit to be desired.

Stick with local mfg's.
At least you'll get local warranty AND parts if needed.
Every US part for a US design/build.
will need to be imported from the States.with corresponding Shipping delays and customs holdups.

Think carefully, I would.
Smaller. lighter. easier to tow, with a smaller Get parts from local servo vehicle.

Local has a LOT going for it.
Apart from super prices.
Apart from everything else.
When you get up into the 30 ft size. a lot of parks and nat parks ain't too keen on you.

don't think I'd trust that dealer too far either.
AS said 20% or less are usual deposits.
He's trying to cover HIMSELF having to fork out of HIS pockets
to dealers at other end first I reckon.
If he's a true agent. They'll be wanting to get into our market and keen to get some over here.

Woody n Sue · Guru

And it's welcome from us two 2 stellaginger

We have a trailblazer 5th wheeler with twin slide outs it has a nice low profile for less wind resistance, lower bridge and tree clearance its 2.9 high.

Australian made ++
Ours was second hand so it came with what it came with but had what we wanted so it's now ours, looked at the US made ones and didn't like them too much mostly for our own reasons which I won't go into here as others who have them would no doubt disagree with me and that's fine we all have different ideas of what suits us and I have no intention of starting a debate on the pros and cons of them, just as there are differing opinions on slide outs we wanted them for the extra room the gave, yes they have there moments I'm told but so far so good with ours, no they don't seal anywhere as good as a solid wall but that was something we were prepared to accept.
We are happy with our 5er sure we had a horror trip on the weekend, but all things I can remedy myself, with a bit of time and a bit of effort ( mixed with a bit of skin , blood and probably some profanities ) .
With our research before buying we decided that Aust built was the way we wanted to go for lots of reasons most were small things that added up
My opinion for what it's worth .... Go with AU made .. Would love to have one made to my specks but that's just a dream .

I don't like the sound of that dealer you mention a US build 5er should not cost that much during our research I spoke to a traveler With one at our local free camp and he imported his own for something under $50,000 this was about 3 or 4 years ago though, sound like to me that he is lining his pocket with lots of your hard earned, do an online search of the US manufacturers they used to have prices on line and work it out for your self .
Just my opinion
Have fun with your search

Woody

cjt55 · Senior Member

Welcome Stellaginger,

I owned a smaller 24ft 5th Wheeler which had twin slide outs which where great but decided to trade it for a caravan due to various reasons. There are a few things to consider which I had not thought about until I had a problem. The first is that if you break down and need a tow it is much more difficult with a 5th wheeler because you need specialized towing. If you are in a remote area then this becomes an even bigger problem. If you have a caravan then the tow recovery vehicle can put your tug on the tray and tow your van. Another problem would be the towing "insurance". Read my earlier post regarding the RACV "Tow Pack" option. (Other companies have similar options). I am not sure how that would work with a large 5th Wheeler. The other consideration for you is the size of the Iveco? It is a large vehicle ... when you disconnect from the 5th Wheeler you are sight seeing in a truck.

Personally you have a great rig now. I now have my original tow vehicle (Nissan Navara twin cab ute), sold the 5th Wheeler and now have a 21.6ft Caravan and am much happier.

Just my thoughts from my own previous experience. I also know many people very happy with their 5th wheelers.

-- Edited by cjt55 on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 08:49:09 AM

Stellaginger · Veteran Member

Thanxs to all that have replied to my question, re getting a 5 th Wheeler. It appears that a lot of things have been brought up that have given us issues with buying a 5 th Wheeler. No 1 as my husband said Roadside assist, we had never thought of that. May other issues have been raised here that have given us the option that a 5 th Wheeler is not the way to go. We are looking for something that has internal room inside where we can have room in the kitchen/ dining/ lounge are. The only other van that gives us this option. Is a Cell. My husband has looked at them before and was impressed. So we are heading to NSW then Victoria and Cell is on our list to see. We have done all our off-roading and now are only touring Australia for a number of years, on other roads. The problem with our current van is space internally. They now have made a Slideout, well and good but we don't have it. Our animals especially our cat thoroughly enjoys the deck and so do I on a reasonable day, but not when super hot. We have been challenged with this van, but as lovely as it is. We need to find something different. My husband as has always done uses our dining table as his map table, come office for paperwork etc. so it becomes a bit annoying when doing meals and then it ends up on the bed. It's not what I imagined full time caravanning would be. I don't want the world as know we can't have it. And no one we don't want to change our Ford Ranger Wildtrak. As someone said touring around in an Iveco when you get somewhere is not the ideal travel vehicle for either of us. So we have Elite caravans to look at and Cell. These two give us the best options. But to see them and whether they will trade our van is another issue. Once again, thankyou again everyone. Very much appreciated. Some very good answers that have steered us away definitely from 5 th Wheelers

ken thomas · Guru

Check out Dave's (Glenelg's) Cafe 5th wheeler which is for sale, with the tow vehicle as well
contact him via this site

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t62092966/isuzu-dmax-ultima-cafe-5th-wheeler/
Ken

-- Edited by ken thomas on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 02:39:07 PM

Stellaginger · Veteran Member

Too small I'm afraid

Chris61 · Senior Member

Stellaginger wrote:
Thanxs to all that have replied to my question, re getting a 5 th Wheeler. It appears that a lot of things have been brought up that have given us issues with buying a 5 th Wheeler. No 1 as my husband said Roadside assist, we had never thought of that. May other issues have been raised here that have given us the option that a 5 th Wheeler is not the way to go. We are looking for something that has internal room inside where we can have room in the kitchen/ dining/ lounge are. The only other van that gives us this option. Is a Cell. My husband has looked at them before and was impressed. So we are heading to NSW then Victoria and Cell is on our list to see. We have done all our off-roading and now are only touring Australia for a number of years, on other roads. The problem with our current van is space internally. They now have made a Slideout, well and good but we don't have it. Our animals especially our cat thoroughly enjoys the deck and so do I on a reasonable day, but not when super hot. We have been challenged with this van, but as lovely as it is. We need to find something different. My husband as has always done uses our dining table as his map table, come office for paperwork etc. so it becomes a bit annoying when doing meals and then it ends up on the bed. It's not what I imagined full time caravanning would be. I don't want the world as know we can't have it. And no one we don't want to change our Ford Ranger Wildtrak. As someone said touring around in an Iveco when you get somewhere is not the ideal travel vehicle for either of us. So we have Elite caravans to look at and Cell. These two give us the best options. But to see them and whether they will trade our van is another issue. Once again, thankyou again everyone. Very much appreciated. Some very good answers that have steered us away definitely from 5 th Wheelers

If you want space and slideouts you want a 5th wheeler around 30ft, with an ATM of between 3500kg and 4500kg and an Iveco 50C21, 210hp engine, airbag suspension and an 8spd automatic with independant suspension seats which will have a GCM of 8000kg, a lot more than the GCM of 6000kg with the Ranger. You will be able to carry all your little toys on the Iveco, not in your van.

Any caravan you buy over 21ft will almost certainly be overweight if you take everything you want towing with the Ranger